Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve Around Largo

There are a host of options in Pinellas County, depending on your mood and motivation.

Where to Ring in the New Year

There are a host of options in Pinellas County, depending on your mood and motivation.

There is no shortage of things to do in Pinellas County on New Year's Eve. Here's but a sampling of what's in store for revelers. Do you have recommendations? Let us know in the comments below! 1.) Clearwater: An elegant evening of dance, food and classical music is in store for folks who attend "Salute to Vienna" at Ruth Eckerd Hall. At 6 p.m., a buffet dinner starts the evening, featuring Wild Mushroom Soup, a Salad Bar, Prime Rib, Chicken Beauregard, Black Truffle Gnocchi with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce and more. After indulging the taste buds, guests are in store for another treat: "Salute to Vienna" returns for a the 14th year with 75 musicians, European singers and dancers in beautiful costumes. Guests are encouraged to buy their …

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Largo Supports Proposed Countywide Domestic Partnership Registry

The Largo City Commission passed a resolution recently, which supports the county's proposed creation of a domestic partnership registry.

The Largo City Commission passed a resolution on Dec. 18, which supports the county's proposed creation of a domestic partnership registry. The registry would give domestic partners rights reserved normally for married couples, officials said. The Pinellas County Commission is scheduled to consider implementing a countywide domestic partnership registry on Jan. 15. According to a city report, the proposed county registry would allow domestic partners and their dependents rights and decisions such as: Largo had discussed setting up its own registry, most recently in September. Clearwater, Gulfport and St. Petersburg have registries. On Dec. 11, at a city commission work session, Largo City Commissioner Michael Smith asked if the commission …

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Florida Coastal Hazard Alert: Rip Currents, High Surf Today

The National Weather Service is reporting a high risk of rip currents and a high surf today across West, Central and Southwest Florida.

Tampa Bay boaters and beach goers are being warned of coastal hazazrds that include the risk of rip currents, high surf and rough seas. The cold temps definitely are not a day for sun bathing but wind surfers might consider this ideal weather. They may want to reconsider. The forecast is for rough surf, large breaking waves and strong undertows. The National Weather Service is warning that a high pressure system and strong northwest winds over the Gulf of Mexico may result in rip currents and long-shore currents. The hazard warning extends to 7 p.m. tonight for Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Beach goers are urged to use extreme caution and to heed lifeguard warnings. Want to read more local news? Sign up for the …

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Lots of Feline Friends

See the wonderful cats up for adoption at the Pinellas County Animal Services.

We love all our furry friends here at Patch and for this week's Adoptables at Risk, we wanted to show you our feline friends. These are all the cats that are currently up for adoption at Pinellas County Animal Services. They all need to find that special home with someone who will love them, just as they love people. If you see a cat you want to adopt, make sure to head down to Animal Services. If that cat has already been adopted, make sure you take a good look at all the cats available. You never know when you might be surprised. How to Adopt The cats are ready to go to their forever home. Adoption costs vary on the cat but include the first set of shots, spaying or neutering, and a bag of food. We've attached an adoption form (PDF) to …

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Photos: Santa Paws Holiday Event in Largo

The annual Pinellas Paws Cause Holiday Celebration was Saturday at Animal Services.

Share your photos from Saturday's Santa Paws event at Pinellas County Animal Services in Largo. Just click the upload photo and video button. Saturday's event included animal rescue groups, face painting, photos with Santa Paws and food trucks. Yes, there was a food truck especially for dogs! We want to see photos of you and Santa Paws. Or maybe, a photo of you with your face painted? Please share your photos from Saturday's event in this gallery. Want to read about other local events? Sign up for the Largo Patch email newsletter to get our headlines delivered to your inbox or smartphone, for free!

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Holiday Boat and Street Parades Around Largo

By Land or by sea, many parade options are available around Largo this holiday season.

Want to get into the holiday spirit by watching the twinkling lights on the water or cheering for a favorite float around town? Here's a look at several holiday parades around the Largo area. Indian Rocks Beach Holiday Boat Parade: The Indian Rocks Beach parade starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Holiday Inn Harbourside and ends off Harbor Drive North. For information on the parade or to sign up to participate, call Randy Schwab at (727) 595-6889, Monday thru Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Indian Rocks Beach Street Parade: The land parade starts at Holiday Inn Harbourside and winds through the streets of Indian Rocks Beach to Indian Rocks Beach City Hall. Refreshments are served and children can visit with Santa. The parade starts Dec…

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Police Blotter: Nov. 9-14

The following people were arrested on felony charges from Nov. 9-14. The reports are based on records collected from the Largo Police Department and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Nov. 9 Donald Ray Blackwell, 55, of Clearwater, was arrested on the charge of trespass in structure/conveyance (after warning) and retail theft (felony). He was released on his own recognizance on Nov. 10. Mark Conrad Fournier, 45, of Largo, was arrested on the charge of robbery strong arm. He was awaiting trial, as of Nov. 15, on total bond of $10,000. Quantel Emmanuel Montgomery, 19, of Clearwater, was arrested on the charges of possession of cocaine (two counts) and sale or delivery of cocaine (two counts). He was released on his own recognizance on Nov. 14. Mark Moretta, 51, of Madeira Beach, was arrested on the charge of withholding information to obtain a prescription (ten counts). He was released on a surety bond of $10,000 as of …

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State and County Candidates Focus on the Economy at Largo Forum

All state and county candidates in contested central Pinellas races were invited to a breakfast candidate forum on Thursday, according to the Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce.

Fourteen candidates in contested state, county and one federal race came and shared their message in four minutes with a packed room on Oct. 11 in Largo. The Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce hosted the candidate forum at Largo Medical Center's Bilgore Conference Center. Candidates for Largo City Commission spoke at the last chamber forum on Sept. 26. Many of the candidates focused on the effect of the economy on Pinellas County and the need for job creation. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri (incumbent) shared the challenges of cutting his department's budget due to the current economy. Despite the cuts the focus remains on public safety and crime is down 12 percent, Gualtieri said.  "We have had to make a lot of hard decisions that are sometimes …

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City Planner: Guide to Public Meetings

Weekly City Planner: Dec. 19-23

This week's public meetings include: the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners, the Pinellas Planning Council and the Friends of Largo Recreation & Parks.

Monday, Dec. 19  • The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Pedestrian Transportation Advisory Committee meets at 8:30 a.m. The meeting is in the Planning Department Conference Room, Suite 750, 600 Cleveland Street, Clearwater.  Call (727) 464-8200 for more information. Here is the agenda. Tuesday, Dec. 20 • The Board of County Commissioners meets at 3 p.m.. The meeting takes place in the 5th Floor Assembly Room, Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court Street, Clearwater. Call (727) 464-3485 for more information. Watch the broadcast on PCCTV, Bright House Channel 622, Verizon Channel 44 and Knology Channel 18.  Here is the agenda. • The Board of County Commissioners will hold public hearings at 6:30 p.m. The hearings take place in the …

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